Liz focuses her practice on estate planning for individuals and families. Practicing in the area since 1992, Liz has extensive experience advising clients about wills, trusts, powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements and other wealth transfer and tax savings techniques. Liz is also experienced in assisting clients with probate and trust administration. Having served on the committees developing Wisconsin’s new trust and probate law, Liz frequently advises personal representatives and trustees regarding trust and estate administration. She also represents beneficiaries and fiduciaries in will or trust disputes.
Liz’s goal is to help the client realize his or her estate planning objectives. She works collaboratively with clients and the client’s financial advisors to achieve those objectives, striving to make sure that the client understands the legal issues involved and the options for addressing them.
Admitted to Practice
- Wisconsin State Courts
Representative Work
- Advising clients about estate planning
- Preparing trusts, wills and powers of attorney
- Assisting clients with probate and trust administration
- Preparing marital property agreements and prenuptial agreements
- Advising clients regarding trust reformation issues
- Preparing nonjudicial settlement agreements
- Retirement planning
- Representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in will or trust disputes
- Providing gift and estate tax planning
- Advising clients about charitable giving
Presentations, Publications, & Contributions
- Co-Author, Eckhardt's Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners, State Bar of Wisconsin 5th ed., 2008 (with M. Bradley, et al.)
- State Bar of Wisconsin, Section on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, Wisconsin Trust Code Committee; Participated in drafting Wisconsin Trust Code, 2013 Wis. Act 92
- State Bar of Wisconsin, Section on Real Property, Probate and Trust Law; Participated in drafting Probate Code Trailer Bill, 2005 Wis. Act 216
- Adjunct Professor, "The Use of Trusts in Estate Planning," University of Wisconsin Law School, 2015-2017
- Frequent Speaker on estate planning and trust administration issues
Community Involvement & Board Memberships
- United Way Foundation, Board Member, 2016-Present
- A Fund for Women, Grant-Making Committee, 2007-Present
- Forum for Women Estate Counselors, 2005-Present
- Wisconsin Planned Giving Council, Board Member, 2008-2016
- Foundation for Madison's Public Schools, Board Member, 2008-2015
- Madison Youth Choirs, Board Member, 2005-2008
- Camp Randall Rowing Club, Board Member, 2004-2006
- Madison West Area Boosters Association, Board Member, 2004-2006
Professional Memberships
- American Bar Association
- State Bar of Wisconsin
- Dane County Bar Association
- Madison Estate Council
Education
- J.D., cum laude, University of Wisconsin Law School, 1991
- Order of the Coif
- M.A., Northwestern University, 1978
- B.A., Northwestern University, 1977
- Phi Beta Kappa
Elizabeth’s Select Writing & Presentations
Do You Know Who Your Beneficiary Is?
The Estate Planner | 01.21.22
If qualified retirement plans and IRAs make up a significant portion of your estate, you should consult with your estate planning attorney to make sure that you are planning for the retirement accounts correctly. Failure to obtain proper advice on designating beneficiaries for retirement assets may result in costly errors, including unnecessary tax.